BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Happy Saturday! If you have any outdoor plans this weekend, you’ll need the rain jacket and the umbrella. We are tracking an upper-level low spinning away along the Gulf Coast this morning. It is bringing with it a lot of moisture that is pushing up to the north. It’s been a soggy morning with widespread showers across Central Alabama. By this afternoon, rain chances will become scattered in nature with off and on showers and thunderstorms. Most of Central Alabama will likely avoid strong or severe storms today, but the southern half of the state has a low threat to see a strong storm late today.
The Storm Prediction Center is highlighting a slight risk – threat level 2 out of 5 – for far southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and into the Florida Panhandle today. Areas under the slight risk have a chance to see an isolated tornado threat. We’ll need to watch how far north the warm front travels later today. If temperatures warm into the 70s, an isolated strong storm can’t be ruled out for Hale, Perry, and Chilton counties. This is the area where the Storm Prediction Center has introduced a marginal risk – threat level 1 out of 5. The main threat will be damaging winds and hail with a low-end threat for a brief tornado. All of the stronger storms will remain to our southeast today. Plan for a cloudy sky with temperatures warming into the upper 60s this afternoon. It will likely be a breezy day with easterly winds at 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20-25 mph. If you have any evening plans, you’ll need to hold on to the umbrella with rain chances decreasing to 50%. Temperatures will likely remain in the mid 60s this evening with a cloudy sky. Scattered showers will remain possible overnight with breezy easterly winds at 10-15 mph.
First Alert for strong storms on Mother’s Day: Sunday morning will likely start out cloudy with temperatures in the lower 60s. Upper 50s can’t be ruled out for parts of Northeast Alabama Sunday morning. Scattered showers will be possible tomorrow morning, but it won’t be as widespread as this morning. A warm front is forecast to lift to the north tomorrow afternoon as the upper-level low shifts to the northwest. With warmer temperatures, increasing unstable air, and some wind shear associated with the upper-level low, we can’t rule out the threat to see an isolated strong or severe storm Sunday.
The Storm Prediction Center is highlighting a marginal risk – threat level 1 out of 5 – for areas along I-22 and I-20 and points to the south. The main threat will be locally heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts up to 60 mph, and large hail up to the size of quarters. An isolated tornado can’t be ruled out tomorrow. Isolated flooding can’t be ruled out. Just make sure you have ways to receive weather information if you plan to be out and about for Mother’s Day. Temperatures tomorrow afternoon are forecast to warm into the mid 70s with easterly winds continuing at 10-15 mph.
Unsettled start to next week: The upper-level low will continue to spin away across the Southeast Monday and Tuesday. Scattered showers and embedded thunderstorms will remain likely Monday. We’ll likely see morning temperatures in the lower 60s with highs in the mid to upper 70s. Rain chances may decrease a little Tuesday afternoon becoming scattered in nature. Both days will remain muggy and mostly cloudy. Severe weather remains low Monday and Tuesday, but we can’t rule out a few strong storms capable of producing gusty winds and small hail. Isolated flooding will remain possible through Tuesday evening. Two to four inches of rain will be possible across all of Central Alabama through Tuesday evening. It will not surprise me if a few spots pick up higher amounts.
Heating up by the end of next week: Once the upper-level low moves out of the Southeast, we will trend drier Wednesday through Friday. The bad news is that the humidity will likely stick around. We will also have to deal with above average temperatures as a ridge of high pressure builds in across the Southeast. Temperatures will likely warm into the mid to upper 80s with overnight lows in the mid to upper 60s. When you factor in the humidity, it will likely feel like it is in the mid 90s. There’s a chance a few spots could reach 90°F by next Thursday and Friday. I think our next chance to see scattered showers and storms will likely occur next Friday night into Saturday (5/17/25).
Make sure you download the WBRC First Alert Weather App for the latest weather information. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!…